A recent study reports that medical errors are now the 3rd leading cause of death in the US. These statistics can change if the patient, and their family know what to do to help avoid medical injury.

This blog represents my experiences and my opinion only - often at the bedside. All posts are short enough for easy reading - therefore I couldn't possibly share all there is to share. Thank you for visiting.

Ilene Corina
Learn more at www.icorina.com

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

When One Door Closes

A Letter to My Doctor

Today I sent the following letter to a doctor. I hope others are encouraged to share why they leave a practice before they go.

Dear
Dr.XXXXXXXX

I am requesting
that my medical records be forwarded toXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I will not be
able to use your services any longer. Please
allow me to explain why.
First, I should explain how I chose you as a physician — and possibly a surgeon
— that I would use. I put a
call out to friends and family for a recommendation. Your name came up. Even though our state physician
profile lists you as having made five malpractice payments in the past six
years, three payments above average, I did recognize that your membership of
five prestigious organizations such as the American Medical Association, the
Medical Society of State of NY and the Nassau County Medical Society might mean
patient safety was important to you.

I thought it would be important to share with you why I am leaving and can’t
recommend your practice.

1. I found it offensive and disturbing that my reason for seeing you
was discussed at the front desk. I
knew why other patients were there because it is asked when signing in, and
written down where the next person can see; also, the receptionist confirmed aloud
what my appointment was about. Although this is not a HIPAA
violation it would be a breach of privacy were there someone present from my
circle of friends or family with whom I didn’t want to share my business.
Imagine if a gynecologist’s receptionist asked whether a patient was there for
a pap test or a yeast infection, or to see if she were pregnant. These discussions belong inside your
office.

2. Although your x-ray technician was very nice, he seemed rushed
and impatient with other staff. He
told your PA that he was waiting for me for a half hour. I was not even there for 10
minutes. He also did not
describe what was happening to me, what he would do, or why he would do
it. He said almost nothing
to me. A brief explanation
of what would be happening while he was working – thus taking no extra time —
would have been helpful, especially if I were someone feeling scared or alone.
It also would have made a great impact on my experience.

3.I
don’t appreciate being called “Doll” after every sentence by a staff person who
is half my age (or any staff person). If
she couldn’t remember my name, there are safer ways of confirming she has the
correct person.

4.An
unknown, elderly woman in a wheelchair was wheeled into my room while I was
waiting for you. I had to
stop the staff person from bringing her in. He apologized and said he had the
wrong room. This gives the
impression that your office is in some disarray and there are on-going
problems.

5. On my first visit with you, you were obviously very sick
with a serious head cold and let me know that. I understand that it is not easy to
take off from work, yet you never washed your hands and even after blowing your
nose you went back onto the computer in your room without cleaning your
hands. Then, you left the room touching the door knob.

Dr.XXX, this letter is not being sent as an official complaint to
the Office of Professional Medical Conduct, but instead offers an opportunity
to review practices that can be viewed as potential hazards to your reputation,
your staff, and most importantly your patients. It is very difficult for me to
write this letter but I think it is very important that these issues of
respect, courtesy and safety are addressed.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Ilene Corina, Patient Safety Advocate

CC:
American Medical Association
Medical Society of State of NY
Nassau County Medical Society

2 comments:

Jenn
said...

Wow, pretty direct and to the point! Like the idea of a letter as a teaching tool for the physician rather than a complaint. I think what bothered me most was the fact that the doctor had a cold and did not wash his hands. Thanks for this post, very very important that consumers of healthcare communicate concerns, which hopefully will change behaviors.

Welcome

My thoughts and comments on this blog do not necessarily represent those of any organization I am affiliated with. This is a place I can share freely what I know and learn about access to safe, quality care. Please feel free to share your thoughts also.